Michigan gubernatorial candidate arrested for January 6 participation

The FBI arrested Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley on Thursday. He was taken into custody and had his home searched in connection with the January 6 Capitol breach.

The agency is alleging that Kelley was part of the crowd that shoved past Capitol Police officers during the congressional certification of the 2020 election results. Though, the FBI did not find any evidence suggesting Kelley had entered the capitol building. 

The candidate is now facing four misdemeanor charges relating to the breach. The FBI said it, in the days following the incident, received multiple tips that Kelley had been at the Capitol on the 6th. He will appear in court later on Thursday.

The agency says their investigators found that Kelley consistently waved his hand to instruct the surrounding crowd to inch closer to the Capitol building and the scaffolding surrounding the area that was set up for President-elect Biden's imminent inauguration.

Kelley is charged with knowingly entering a restricted area unlawfully, disorderly conduct, engaging in physical violence in a restricted area, and committing depredation against federal government property.

In November of 2020, shortly after the election, Kelley spoke at a "Stop the Steal" rally in front of the Michigan state capitol. He is currently running for governor of Michigan to replace Democratic state leader Gretchen Whitmer. He is slated to face off against four other candidates in the August 2 Republican primary.